Questions
Who made Do the Right Thing and when did it come out?
Spike Lee wrote, directed, and produced the film, which premiered at Cannes on May 19, 1989 and opened in the US on June 30, 1989.
Where does the movie take place?
It unfolds over a single sweltering summer day in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, where tensions rise between Black residents and the Italian-American family that owns the local pizzeria.
Who is in the cast?
Spike Lee plays Mookie and Danny Aiello plays Sal, with Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, John Turturro, and Samuel L. Jackson also featured.
Is it true Rosie Perez and Martin Lawrence made their film debuts here?
Yes, Do the Right Thing was the feature film debut of both Rosie Perez and Martin Lawrence.
How was Rosie Perez discovered?
Spike Lee reportedly cast her after seeing her dancing at a club in Los Angeles.
Was Danny Aiello the first choice to play Sal?
No. Lee initially wanted Robert De Niro, but De Niro reportedly suggested Danny Aiello for the role instead.
What did Samuel L. Jackson do on set?
He played the radio DJ Mister Senor Love Daddy, and since he had no scenes outside the booth he reportedly spent much of his time on set sleeping.
How did they make the movie feel so hot?
The production designer used heavy red and orange paint on the sets to convey the oppressive summer heat, and the whole film was shot on a single block, Stuyvesant Avenue between Quincy and Lexington.
Did the production run into trouble on the block?
Reportedly crack dealers threatened the crew, so Lee hired Fruit of Islam members to provide security during filming.
What song is tied to the film?
Public Enemy’s "Fight the Power" is featured, blasting from Radio Raheem’s boombox, and the soundtrack peaked at number 11 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
Did it get any Oscar nominations?
Yes, it earned Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Danny Aiello.
Was the movie controversial when it came out?
Some critics claimed it could incite Black audiences to riot, a reaction Lee countered as a racist assumption about his audience.
Where is Radio Raheem’s boombox now?
It is displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Did the film get a lasting honor?
It was selected for the National Film Registry in 1999 as culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant, and in 2015 its filming street was renamed "Do the Right Thing Way."
What famous couple has a connection to this movie?
Barack and Michelle Obama have cited Do the Right Thing as the film they saw on their first date.
